Chapter 155: A Brief Meeting with This Destiny

She stared blankly at Tuan Tuan's little face; even the Divine Doctor's medicine couldn't wake you up. Who? Who could still help you? My little Tuan Tuan.

Suddenly, a flash of insight lit up her mind, and she seized the arm of Xiao Yuanhang, who had also been keeping watch through the night, her voice trembling slightly: "Prince! Tuan Tuan's name was given by the National Preceptor! Could you summon the National Preceptor? He might have a way!"

A flash of brilliance suddenly erupted in Xiao Yuanhang's eyes.

Indeed! That unfathomable Heavenly Eye Daoist!

He turned immediately, strode out, and said: "I'll go and ask in person!"

At the same time, the morning court.

Xiao Jieyun wore an expressionless face, seated upright on the dragon throne.

A man dressed in a python robe stepped forward steadily; it was Qing Wang Xiao Jichang.

"His Majesty, the Heavenly Sacrifice to pray for rain is the foundation of the state. Yet Heaven's will is hard to gauge; even the Son of Heaven's utmost sincerity may not reach Heaven's ears."

Xiao Jieyun remained impassive: "Qing Wang, what are your lofty suggestions?"

Qing Wang smiled faintly, bowed, then turned to face the ministers: "My heart is bound to the suffering people of our nation; I have a plan that might increase our chances and relieve the urgent crisis of our nation."

"The Da Xia Shen Tong is renowned across the realm. Born with spiritual perception, he can hear Heaven's will."

"He is currently in Jingcheng; His Majesty, why not issue an imperial decree, invite him to the platform, and have him help our nation pray for rain? If this merit is achieved, it would also reflect your saintly virtue, drawing tributes from all quarters!"

The words caused the entire hall to erupt in uproar.

"Absurd!" an Imperial Censor immediately stepped forward to refute, "Qing Wang, your words are erroneous! Our nation's destiny cannot be placed in the hands of a foreign child's hand?"

"When His Majesty prays personally, it is to fulfill the Mandate of Heaven. If we let the Da Xia Shen Tong take the stage, where does that place His Majesty? Where does it place the dignity of our nation?"

"Such pedantic views!" Qing Wang's face showed compassion, his voice growing more impassioned.

"Now the land is barren for thousands of miles, famine corpses litter the fields; if we could gain even a little more chance to obtain sweet rain, the people of the world would only praise His Majesty for rescuing the populace from fire and water, willing to be modest as a valley and accept counsel like a flowing stream!"

"All of you should prioritize the ten thousand people, not empty fame! May I ask this Imperial Censor, is your clean reputation more important, or the lives of the common folk?"

The Imperial Censor's face flushed with anger: "You... you are twisting arguments!"

Marquis Jinghai Zhou Jinhua stepped forward: "I think Qing Wang's words are not without reason. In urgent matters, we must be pragmatic. If we can ensure the rain prayer succeeds, inviting the Shen Tong to the stage is also permissible. His Majesty! The common people must be prioritized!"

The ministers in the hall instantly split into two factions—those in favor and those opposed—and the debate continued endlessly.

Xiao Jieyun said in a deep voice: "Enough."

He lifted his eyes toward Qing Wang: "Your 'good intentions' are received by the throne."

"But the sky of our nation, the rain of our nation, should be sought by the Son of Heaven of our nation."

"No need for assistance from other nations!"

【7】 He rose slowly, waved his sleeve and robe: "This matter should not be discussed again."

He slowly stood up, sweeping his sleeve, "This matter, do not discuss it again."

"My decision is made; in two days, I will personally ascend the Heavenly Sacrifice platform to pray for rain for the people."

Having said so, he turned and left.

Qing Wang bowed and said, "A respectful send‑off to His Majesty!" A cold smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

He had anticipated that you would not agree.

Shen Tong said that without his assistance, even if you are the Son of Heaven, you still could not definitively obtain sweet rain!

Today's debate in the hall will, within a day, be spread throughout Jingcheng by me, the Prince.

When the time comes and your rain prayer fails, with the masses present, I will again invite the Shen Tong to the stage.

When the Shen Tong obtains sweet rain, your reputation as the Son of Heaven... haha, I'm afraid it will be completely ruined.

Xiao Jieyun's face grew grim as he strode into the Fengyi Palace.

"National Preceptor?"

Everyone in the hall rose to pay their respects.

Chu Yuan said, "His Majesty, I, a humble Daoist, have been entrusted by Prince Ning to attend to the Princess."

Xiao Jieyun nodded: "How? Is it possible to awaken the Princess?"

Chu Yuan did not answer immediately; he walked to the bedside, formed a hand seal, and pointed the void at a point three inches above Tuan Tuan's forehead, closing his eyes to concentrate.

In an instant, it seemed a gentle breeze brushed the hall, and Chu Yuan's Daoist robe moved without wind.

The onlookers held their breath and watched closely; they saw his fingertips faintly emitting countless golden phantasms as fine as hair, flashing and vanishing!

A moment later, Chu Yuan withdrew his hand: "His Majesty, the Princess is not ill, which is why the medicine is ineffective."

Xiao Jieyun furrowed his brows: "Then what is it?"

Chu Yuan pondered for a moment, then took from his Daoist robe an ancient, plain bronze small cauldron and placed it beside Tuan Tuan's pillow.

The cauldron was no larger than an infant's fist, its hue dull and lifeless, showing no trace of any mystic aura.

"His Majesty, remain calm," Chu Yuan said with a steady expression, "this cauldron might be worth a try."

"Just a single trial?" Murong Jin asked further.

Chu Yuan nodded.

Cheng Ru'an watched his daughter, silent tears slipping down.

She hadn't closed her eyes for two whole days, her beautiful eyes red and swollen: "My Tuan Tuan, if you don't wake from now on, even I, your mother, don't want to live."

Xiao Yuanhang's brows tightened further, and he steadily supported his wife's shoulders: "Thank you, National Preceptor."

The next day, Tuan Tuan's high fever had subsided, yet she remained unconscious, and the atmosphere in Fengyi Palace was heavy.

Jingcheng, however, was already boiling.

"Did you hear? Qing Wang recommended the Shen Tong to assist His Majesty in praying for rain tomorrow! He was rejected by His Majesty!"

"Really?"

"The streets and alleys are all talking about it; how could it not be true!"

"Why won't His Majesty permit it? The Shen Tong's power is boundless; if he acts, the rain would come without a word!"

"How would I know!"

"Alas, think about it: if this rain were summoned by His Majesty, it would be an unprecedented feat! But if it were Shen Tong…"

The few of them exchanged glances with each other.

"Indeed, His Majesty is the true Dragon Son of Heaven; if this rain were obtained through outsiders, where would the Son of Heaven's reputation lie?"

"Huh? Could His Majesty's reputation be more important than the lives of us common folk?"

"Don't talk nonsense! Perhaps it's Shen Tong who refuses to lend a hand! After all, they're not from our fiery nation."

"I won't believe that; ever since Shen Tong entered the capital, he has answered everyone's requests, yet now he turns a blind eye to such a major matter?"

"We are all commoners! Our lives are like weeds! Those nobles—who would take us seriously!"

"The matter is clear: whoever can summon rain, that person is the one destined by Heaven!"

"So, according to you, who is this destiny?"

"How would I know! Let's see tomorrow!"

Xiao Jieyun, having not slept all night, changed clothes at the hour of the Tiger and donned the heavy, elaborate Heavenly Sacrifice robes.

"Go check again whether Tuan Tuan has awakened."

"Yes!"

After a short while, the inner attendant returned: "His Majesty, the Princess (Commandery) has not yet awakened."

Eunuch Cheng, anxious, rubbed his hands: "His Majesty, if the Princess (Commandery) cannot…"

"I am the Son of Heaven!" Xiao Jieyun interrupted him, "The Heavenly Sacrifice to request rain is the responsibility of the Son of Heaven!"

"If the Princess (Commandery) can aid me, that would be best; if not, I will sincerely pray to Heaven to bring sweet rain upon our fiery nation!"

Eunuch Cheng bowed and said, "Indeed. His Majesty is wise."

He paused, then said, "His Majesty, it is time to set out for the Heavenly Sacrifice Terrace."

Xiao Jieyun strode out of Zichen Hall.

"May His Majesty be blessed with holy peace!" Xiao Yuanhang, solemn, in full battle armor, knelt before the steps, sword in hand.

The Emperor's steps halted, and a hint of emotion flashed in his eyes.

He walked up to Prince Ning, raised his hand and pressed heavily on his iron‑clad shoulder: "Xiao Yuanhang, this journey to the Heavenly Sacrifice Terrace is no less than a fierce battle. Are you afraid?"

Xiao Yuanhang suddenly lifted his head, his iron armor clanking: "His Majesty is present, and that is my battlefield! I have roamed half my life; I have never feared a moment!"

The Emperor heard this, let out a booming laugh that shattered the dawn, his voice full of heroic vigor: "Good! Then today, you and I, ruler and subject, shall stand side by side to meet this destiny! Let us set off!"